In Japan, protein fermentation firm Spiber has raised JPY 24.4 billion ($220 million) to help fund a previously announced production plant in Iowa. The financing was led by Carlyle, which holds a $91 million stake in the renewable fibers manufacturer, and also included Fidelity, Baillie Gifford and Cool Japan Fund Inc. Spiber simultaneously approved an […]
In Brazil, a vegan slip-on sneaker from Cariuma reportedly had a waitlist of over 20,000 people ahead of its September 8 launch. Available in polka dot, leopard, and zebra prints, the lifestyle kicks are made with a bamboo upper and an outsole made of sugarcane-based ethylene vinyl acetate. Cariuma is known for its sustainable branding […]
In the Netherlands, cultured meat startup Meatable has entered into a joint development deal with DSM to develop lower-cost growth media. Comprised of essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, sales, vitamins and growth factors, growth media is often cited as a key barrier to widespread consumption of lab-grown meat. Currently, it can account for as […]
In Berlin, a startup producing cheese without animals has raised $50 million in a Series A funding round. Formo uses precision fermentation to produce cheese with the same taste and texture as cheese from animals and at lower cost. It plans on using the funds to build a pilot plant, add staff, and accelerate commercialization. […]
In the Netherlands, Geneus Biotech is using cellular agriculture technology to “bioprint” fur that could replace the controversial mink farming industry. Dubbed Furoid, the lab-grown fur is 100% animal free. “Furoid’s intention fits in with the recent attempts by cellular food companies to create foods such as caviar, foie gras and wagyu beef that are […]
In Germany, luxury automaker BMW has said renewable materials will play a large role in its plans to cut its carbon footprint by 2030. The company says it will focus R&D on “environmentally-compatible raw materials” and will work with both startups and established suppliers to develop “pioneering” materials. “We are setting new standards for sustainable […]
In San Francisco, sustainability-focused shoe brand Allbirds has filed for an initial public offering ahead of a large retail expansion. The company, which is known for its trendy sneakers made of wool and other natural and recycled materials, has applied to list Class A common stock under the ticker BIRD on the Nasdaq. The […]
In Finland, researchers at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland have created a cellulose-based nanocomposite inspired by the ultra-strong clubs shrimp use to pulverize prey such as clams. VTT says the material, made from a mixture of birch-cellulose and genetically engineered proteins, can be used to make dental implant crowns. Being stronger but much lighter […]
In India, GSK Consumer Healthcare says it has launched the world’s first carbon-neutral toothbrush. Made in the classic “Dr.Best” style, the toothbrush is made of cellulose; a bioplastic produced using paper production byproducts; and castor oil material for the bristles. The materials cut the carbon footprint of the toothbrush in half compared to a standard […]
In Japan, scientists have successfully grown wagyu—a premium variety of beef known for its marbling and tenderness—in a lab. Using cells taken from a cow’s cheek and artificial collagen tendon tissue, professor Michiya Matsusaki and colleagues at Osaka University were able to 3D bioprint a 5×5 mm cube of meat resembling wagyu. “We wanted to […]
